P0353 Code: Ignition Coil C Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction
🟠 Moderate severity · drivable
Drivable short-term, but cylinder 3 will misfire and raw fuel can damage the catalytic converter. Stop if the light flashes.
What P0353 means
There's an electrical fault in the ignition coil circuit for cylinder 3 (coil C). The computer can't command that coil, so cylinder 3 loses spark and misfires — P0353 often shows up together with a P0303 cylinder 3 misfire for this reason.
Symptoms
- Check engine light on (may flash)
- Misfire or rough idle on cylinder 3
- Loss of power
- Poor fuel economy
Common causes
- most common: Faulty ignition coil on cylinder 3 (coil C)
- common: Damaged wiring or a loose connector at the coil
- less common: Ignition driver failure inside the engine computer (PCM)
How to fix it
| Fix | DIY? | Typical cost |
|---|---|---|
| Swap the cylinder 3 coil with another cylinder to see if the misfire follows it | Yes | $0–20 |
| Replace the cylinder 3 ignition coil | Yes | $50–200 |
| Repair damaged coil wiring or connector | Mechanic | $50–150 |
Frequently asked questions
Which cylinder is coil C?
Coil C fires cylinder 3. P0353 is the cylinder 3 coil circuit.
How do I confirm a bad coil on P0353?
Swap the cylinder 3 coil with another cylinder and re-scan. If the misfire moves, the coil is the culprit.
Does P0353 cause a misfire?
Yes — without spark on cylinder 3, you get a misfire, so P0353 and P0303 often occur together.
Related codes
P0303
P0303 Code: Cylinder 3 Misfire Detected
P0350P0350 Code: Ignition Coil Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction
P0352P0352 Code: Ignition Coil B Primary/Secondary Circuit Malfunction
Related guide: The 10 Most Common Check Engine Codes →
Updated 2026-08. This page is informational and not a substitute for professional diagnosis.